Visiting two streams at the Crocodile (Thursday 13 February 2020)

A small group of us set off on an oppressively hot and humid morning for the area above the Crocodile at the top end of the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve. We wandered for a while in the grassland, seeing different Chamaecrista species and a single Aspidoglossum gracile. Along the track we found Exochaenium grande and some early Habenaria falcicornis. Two Helichrysum species were prominent in this part of the grassland: the old flower heads on H. appendiculatum and the new ones on H. auriceps. Rafnia elliptica caught the eye with bright yellow flowers, as did Pachycarpus grandiflorus. Here we also found two as yet undescribed Indigofera species: I. abbottii and I. pondoensis.

Chamaecrista capensis

Aspidoglossum gracile

Exochaenium grande

Habenaria falcicornis

Helichrysum auriceps

Helichrysum appendiculatum

Rafnia elliptica

Pachycarpus grandiflorus

Indigofera abbottii

Indigofera pondoensis

As we dropped down the slope we found several patches of Watsonia densiflora and in the shelter of an umdoni tree (Syzygium cordatum) there was a single Kniphofia laxiflora as well as Protea caffra. From here we had a good view into the Umtamvuna river gorge.

Kniphofia laxiflora

Watsonia densiflora

Protea caffra

Looking down into the Umtamvuna River gorge

On the forest margin we found an Alberta magna flowering and further down the slope an Apodytes dimidiata was covered in clusters of white flowers. The Protea roupelliae were also flowering well here.

Alberta magna

Apodytes dimidiata

Protea roupelliae

In the shelter of the forest margin we found Rhoicissus tridentata in flower, as well as two species of Syncolostemon; S. parviflorus and S. ramulosus.

Rhoicissus tridentata

Syncolostemon parviflorus

Syncolostemon ramulosus

By this stage we were staggering from the heat and humidity and took refuge in the shade along a small stream emerging from Gogosa Kloof. After paddling in the stream and gathering our strengths, we tried walking upstream but soon reached an impassible section and headed out of the valley up to the grassland saddle above. Here we searched for a path into the denser forest on the other side of the saddle and found an animal track that took us  down to another stream.

A brief respite from the searing heat

Walking (and scrambling) through this forest we found Dietes butcheriana in flower and some fruit on a Memecylon bachmannii. There were also a few Crocosmia aurea and Isoglossa cooperi and some attractive fungi. We were rather disappointed when we reached the stream as the water was muddy, probably as a result of runoff from farmlands above. On the way back up the track we found an attractive caterpillar on a Thunbergia purpurata; this was subsequently identified for us as an owlet moth larvae (Rhanidophora aurantiaca). The rocks and dead trees on the forest floor were festooned with ferns. There were at least two species of Asplenium: A. rutifolium and A. prionitis.

Dietes butcheriana

Crocosmia aurea

Memecylon bachmannii

Isoglossa cooperii

One of the owlet moth larvae (Rhanidophora aurantiaca)
eating Thunbergia purpurata

Fungus

Fungus

Asplenium prionitis

When we finally staggered out of the forest and made our way back up the hill to the vehicle we were very glad to have the benefit of a gentle breeze at the top of the hill.

The brave few who tackled the walk under these hot conditions

 Participants:Gail B-W, Graham G, Kate G, Tracy T. 

Parasites abound at Oribi Flats {Thursday 6 February 2020}

On an earlier  visit from Ralph Peckover, we discovered a previously unknown population of the Vulnerable Brachystelma tenellum. Since Ralph was back in our area, we arranged to meet with him and revisit the site to see how these plants were faring. On the way through the Umzimkulwana River gorge we stopped to look at some flowers on the roadside. These turned out to be Ruttya ovata and Pollichia campestris. A little further up the road we found Cyrtanthus sanguineus growing out of the rock face in the road cutting above us.

Ruttya ovata

Pollichia campestris

Cyrtanthus sanguineus

After consolidating our group into two vehicles, we headed in the direction of Izingolweni, turning off into the canelands a short distance after the paved road ended. Walking amongst the rock sheets in the grassland, soon we came across plants we are less accustomed to seeing in the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve. There were the remnants of two other Cyrtanthus sanguineus, as well as Aeschynomene micrantha, Ipomoea magnusiana, Indigofera williamsonii, Microglossa mespilifolia and Volkameria glabra, playing host to clouds of butterflies. There was also a very narrow-leafed form of Tephrosia bachmannii (VU) in flower.

Aeschenomene micrantha

Indigofera williamsonii

Ipomoea magnusiana

Microglossa mespilifolia

Volkameria glabra

Tephrosia bachmannii

We walked on, scrutinising each exposed rock plate as these are the preferred habitat for the Brachystelma tenellum but had little success. We did however find a pale yellow-green Gladiolus which might be G. inandensis, but this needs verification. The Olea capensis subsp. enervis were flowering with a vengance. Tucked in below the trees was Pavetta gracilis. Along a section of krans edge we found Psydrax obovata and Sarcostemma viminalis in flower.

Gladiolus cf. inandensis

Olea capensis subsp. enervis

Pavetta gracilis

Psydrax obovata

Sarcostemma viminalis

Draped over the rocks was Searsia acocksii (NT) and nearby we found a few Selago elongata in flower. Ripe fruits on Canthium vanwykii (NT) kept several of our group munching happily while walking.

Searsia acocksii

Selago elongata

Canthium vanwykii

We then came across the first of the parasitic plants for the day: Striga bilabiata in the grassland. Within a short distance we found the second: Erianthemum dregei, some flowering profusely. It was not long before we found the third parasite: Agelanthus gracilis.

Striga bilabiata

Erianthemum dregei

Agelanthus gracilis

In a small bush clump there was a tall Cussonia nicholsonii bearing several fruit clusters and Ipomoea obscura in flower. We took a lunch break at a view spot looking down into the Umzimkulu river gorge. Here Tracy found Delosperma tradescantioides in flower. Ralph rejoined us having wandered far and wide looking for the Brachystelma tenellum with limited success. He had managed to find a single plant with a fruit.

Cussonia nicholsonii

Ipomoea obscura

Gail enjoying the view into the Umzimkulu River gorge.

Delosperma tradescantioides

Brachystelma tenellum with fruit follicle (Photo R Peckover)

Heading back, we saw several Psammatropha mucronata in flower on the rock sheets. We reached a bush clump and found the odd-looking Senecio viminalis; unfortunately this was not flowering but it is nevertheless an attractive succulent plant. In this bush clump we found Vangueria infausta, Zanthoxylum capense and Commiphora harveyi in fruit. One of these trees hosted Viscum rotundifolium bearing orange fruits, our fourth parasitic plant of the day.

Psammatropha mucronata

Senecio viminalis

Vangueria infausta fruit

Xanthoxylum capense fruits

Commiphora harveyi

Viscum rotundifolium

As we got closer to the vehicles we explored a final bush clump that included Dichrostachys cinerea, Pappea capensis and Ficus glumosa. There was no lack of willing volunteers to taste the fruits of the last two species; we all felt a little more able to survive in the veld if such fare was available.

Dichrostachys cinerea

Pappea capensis

Ficus glumosa

After saying our goodbyes, some of us stopped briefly at a nearby grassland test-patch where we found Turraea pulchella (VU) with fruit, a pink Tephrosia polystachya, Crotalaria macrocarpa and Bowiea volubilis (VU). Two Helichrysum species were flowering: H. comosum and H. nudifolium. The last interesting flowering plant we encountered was a very big Hyperacanthus amoenus covered in flowers.

Turraea pulchra

Tephrosia polystachya

Crotalaria macrocarpa

Bowiea volubilis

Helichrysum cymosum

Helichrysum nudifolium

Hyperacanthus amoenus

Participants: Anne S, Dave H, Gail B-W, Graham G, Kate G, Maggie A, Ralph P, Tracy T.